Hanalei Blog
Here’s some news for the tourists! Well, I’d better start at the beginning. Whenever someone comes to visit me who isn’t from Kauai, I always take them to Hanalei Bay Resort for lunch. It’s a tradition with me, as a meat eater, to order a hamburger from the resort whenever I can, and visitors give me the excuse I need to drive there. Plus, the hamburgers are only $5.
Anyway, the resort itself is an oceanfront getaway overlooking Hanalei Bay. Since it is right on the beach, visitors to the resort get great food, a view of sunsets over the ocean and mountains rising up in the distance, and wonderful ocean breezes. Plus, the resort has gardens, waterfalls, swimming pools, and the beach! My friends and I have often sat in the pool area watching the waves and munching on our juicy hamburgers.
Well (and here comes the exciting part for tourists) the Hanalei Bay Resort has recently been recognized by Fodor’s Travel as the Best Hotel Pool in the US! In fact, they were given the Fodor’s Choice Gold 2010 award. Why? Well, if you’d ever seen the pool with its authentic lava-rock waterfalls, open-air hot tub, kids area, sandy “beach” by the pool, and all of the amenities included, you would know.
So what does this mean for tourists? Well, it means that Hanalei Bay is the best place to stay and bring your family. Apparently, the pool is fabulous, and I’ve already mentioned that the burgers are low-priced and juicy-good. Then there’s also the fact that it’s right on the beach. What more could you ask for?
In my opinion, it’s about time that the resort got recognized for its excellent out-door activities and pool area. Scott (the general manager) should be proud.
On Sunday I was inspired. I drove over to Hanalei Bay and ate a picnic lunch, waiting for 3 pm to roll around. The bay is a nice area for a seaside day without the pounding surf. I enjoy going up there sometimes just to sit and think, often taking a book along or my guitar and lazing by the water. It’s very relaxing, which I very much enjoy. Plus, when I put a small hat out while I’m playing my guitar, sometimes I make pocket money!
Anyway, I usually hang out around Princeville on Friday and Sunday afternoons, for I love live music. I always have and I probably always will. And Princeville is usually the place to find it, though there are a few venues down south. Music gives me so much inspiration, and I find myself doing things I never thought I could like writing a book, cleaning up the house after my brother visits, learning the guitar, going on a zip line course, and more. Music speaks to me, especially if it is live and I know the musicians, which just happens to be the case with the McMasters.
The McMasters (also known as Doug and Sandy) play a Slack Key Concert almost every Friday and Sunday afternoon, and I often find myself entering the Hanalei Community Center to listen to their performances. The Community Center is home to myriad other activities as well, so I know the area well. It’s located just off of HWY 560 near the Ching Young Village Shopping Center. As a side note, the shopping center is a great place to find great restaurants, tour reservations, surfing lessons, and maybe great stores. You should definitely check it out if you are going to be visiting the area.
Anyway, the concert went well. After all, Doug and Sandy don’t just play music; they tell stories using their guitar and ukulele. Their music is soft, sweet, and relaxing. I can almost feel my internal frequencies adjusting to the spirit of aloha. I always leave their performances feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the week. So if you are on the island and want a wonderful music experience, come see them play. You won’t regret it.
Hanalei is an artsy, and unusual small town just down the road from Princeville. Hanalei has a two mile long white sandy beach with a large beach park and perhaps some of the best views to be found anywhere. View other Hanalei Vacation Rentals
